Evidence for Continental Drift

What was found on different continents?

Similar rock types (and ages) found on different continents.

What was found in NW Scotland and Canada?

Identical rock types.

What happens to the Earth’s magnetic field?

It ‘flips’ every 400,000 years, on average.

What happens when new crust is formed?

The iron particles in the tock are aligned to the earth’s magnetic field.

What does Iceland have?

Some of the newest rocks found anywhere in the world.

What is the crust at the mid-atlantic ridge like?

It is zebra-striped due to the direction the iron particles are laid down in.

What is found in both India and Australia?

Branchiopod fossils are found in both countries.

What is a similarity in rocks between Brazil and West Africa?

Striations on the rocks point in the same direction.

What else is similar between Brazil and West Africa?

Glacial deposits in Brazil match those in West Africa.

What happens as you travel away from the mid-Atlantic ridge?

The ages of the rocks increases.

Where could the Mesosaurus dinosaur be found?

Only in southwest Africa and Brazil, and this dinosaur could not swim.

What can be said about the West coast of Africa?

It fits like a jigsaw piece with South America.